Customs Intercepts 1,306 Sacks of Expired, Decomposing Noodles at Seme Border
Customs Intercepts 1,306 Sacks of Expired, Decomposing Noodles at Seme Border
Customs Intercepts 1,306 Sacks of Expired, Decomposing Noodles at Seme Border
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles concealed in a truck at the nation’s border, preventing the potentially dangerous food products from entering the Nigerian market.
The seized noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, were discovered during an intelligence-driven enforcement operation after the truck was deceptively declared to be carrying food items.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, where he reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the economy.
According to Kaila, officers became suspicious of the consignment and subjected the truck to further examination, leading to the discovery of the expired products.
“Upon examination, we uncovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilograms. What was discovered was deeply disturbing because many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing,” he said.
The Customs Area Controller described the interception as significant from a public-health perspective, noting that the products could have posed serious risks if they had entered the food supply chain.
Customs Seizes Rice, Cannabis, Pharmaceuticals, Cigarettes
Beyond the expired noodles, the Seme Area Command also recorded several other seizures during its enforcement operations.
The seized items included 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes, among other prohibited items.
The combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures was put at ₦365,163,709.
The Command also intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, which were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
Seme Command Generates Nearly ₦20bn
On revenue generation, Comptroller Kaila disclosed that the Seme Area Command remitted ₦19,840,280,788.50 into the Federal Government’s coffers during the period under review.
This represents an increase from the ₦15,941,258,676.01 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
He attributed the improved revenue performance to sustained enforcement, intelligence gathering and enhanced monitoring of activities along the border corridor.
Seized Goods Handed Over to Relevant Agencies
In accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the intercepted items were handed over to relevant sister agencies for appropriate action.
Receiving consignments on behalf of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the agency’s Deputy Director and Coordinator commended the Customs Service for the seizure.
He described the operation as evidence of effective inter-agency cooperation in protecting Nigerians from harmful and prohibited products.
“This is a clear demonstration of a working synergy from top to bottom and it will continue to keep this country safe from all social vices,” he said.
The NCS reaffirmed that it would sustain intelligence-led border enforcement to prevent the entry of prohibited goods, protect public health, combat illicit trade and strengthen Nigeria’s economic security.
Customs Intercepts 1,306 Sacks of Expired, Decomposing Noodles at Seme Border
